List of early and legendary monarchs of Burma

This is a list of early and legendary monarchs of Burma (Myanmar). It covers the monarchs of the early polities in Upper Burma, Lower Burma and Arakan, according to the various royal chronicles. The list consists of two types. Some of the dynasties were likely derived from "Indian legends taken from Sanskrit or Pali originals" in order to link the Burmese monarchy to the Buddha.[1][2] Many others were actual historical figures cloaked in pre-Buddhist legends, and probably existed in a different time period than that described in the chronicles. Moreover, many of these historical-based legendary figures were likely contemporaries of rival small settlements, rather than in the continuous lineage presented by the chronicles.[3]

Unless otherwise noted, the regnal dates in this article are abbreviated to the first Western calendar year only although the Burmese calendar straddles the Western calendar. For example, the start of King Pyinbya's reign, 208 ME (25 March 846 to 24 March 847 CE), is shown here only as 846 (instead of 846/47).

Upper Burma

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The first Tagaung dynasty was part of the Abhiyaza origin myth that made a "sudden appearance" in central Burma in 1781—in the treatise Mani Yadanabon.[4] The myth was not part of any of the prior central Burmese chronicles and treaties, as well as those immediately after, including the 1798 Yazawin Thit chronicle.[5] But the myth gained ascendancy with the Konbaung kings, and was finally included in the Hmannan Yazawin chronicle in 1832, officially linking the Konbaung and central Burmese kings to the Buddha.[6] The proclamation was part of the regional traditions to link their leaders to the clan of the Buddha. The earliest evidence of such linkage was in Arakan in the 1450s. The Arakanese tradition had grown more elaborate by the early 17th century, and finally reached central Burma in the 18th century.[7] It was embraced by the Konbaung kings who starting in the 1770s began an effort to delink the then prevailing pre-Buddhist origin myth of linking the monarchy to a solar spirit with a more universal (Buddhist) myth.[2]

Monarch Reign Relationship Notes
Abhiyaza 850–825 BCE
Kanyaza Nge 825–? Son
Zambudipa Yaza Son
Thingatha Yaza Son
Weippanna Yaza Son
Dewata Yaza Son
Munika Yaza Son
Naga Yaza Paternal uncle
Einda Yaza Brother
Thamuti Yaza Son
Dewa Yaza Son
Maheindra Yaza Son
Wimala Yaza Son
Thihanu Yaza Son
Mingana Yaza Son
Kantha Yaza Son
Kaleinga Yaza Son
Thindwe Yaza Son
Thihala Yaza Son
Thamuti Yaza Son
Hantha Yaza Brother
Wara Yaza Son
Alaung Yaza Son
Kawlaka Yaza Son
Thuriya Yaza Son
Thingyi Yaza Son
Taingchit Yaza Son
Madu Yaza Son
Minhlagyi Yaza Son
Thanthu Thiha Yaza Son
Daninga Yaza Son
Heinda Yaza Son
Mawriya Yaza Son
Beinnaka Yaza Son

This is the list of kings of the second Tagaung dynasty per in the Hmannan Yazawin chronicle, which provides no reign dates except for the date when the Sri Ksetra Kingdom was founded by two princes from Tagaung.[8] According to Michael Charney, the second Tagaung dynasty is simply a version of the same Abhiyaza myth—Daza Yaza/Dhajaraja is another title of Abhiyaza/Abhiraja—which the chroniclers of the Hmannan must have realized but nonetheless sequenced it as a successor dynasty to circumvent "any superior claim of legitimacy on the part of the royal line of western Burma" [Arakan].[9]

Monarch Reign Relationship Notes
Daza Yaza c. 600 BCE–?
Thado Taing-Ya
Thado Yahta-Ya
Thado Tagun-Ya
Thado Hlanbyan-Ya
Thado Shwe
Thado Galon-Ya
Thado Naga-Ya
Thado Naga-Naing
Thado Yahawlaw
Thado Paungshe
Thado Kyaukshe
Thado Hsinlauk
Thado Hsinhtein
Thado Taingchit
Thado Mingyi
Thado Maha Yaza His sons founded Sri Ksetra Kingdom in 483 BCE.
Monarch Reign Relationship Notes
Maha Thanbawa 483–477 BCE Son of Thado Maha Yaza of Tagaung
Sula Thanbanwa 477–442 Brother
Duttabaung 442–372 Son of Maha Thanbawa Historical figure believed to have ascended the throne in 739 CE
Duttayan 372–350 Son
Yan Baung 350–300 Son
Yan Man 300–250 Son
Yetkhan 250–219 Son
Khanlaung 219–181 Son
Letkhaing 181–147 Son
Thirikhan 147–119 Son
Thiriyit 119–110 Son Last of Duttabaung's line
Taba 110–59 Adopted son
Papiyan 59 BCE–7 CE Son
Yan Mukha 7–22 Son
Yan Theinkha 22–25 Son
Yan Monsaleinda 25–40 Son
Bereinda 40–52 Brother
Monsala 52–57 Son
Ponna 57–60 Son
Thakha 60–63 Brother
Thathi 63–66 Son
Kan Nu 66–67 Younger brother
Kan Tet 67–70 Elder brother
Beizza 70–74 Elder brother
Thumondari 74–81 Not stated
Atitya 81–84 Son
Thupyinnya 84–94 Brother End of the Sri Ksetra dynasty

Formative Early Pagan

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The following is the list of Pagan kings as given in the main royal chronicles.[10]

Name Reign per Zatadawbon Yazawin Reign per Maha Yazawin, Yazawin Thit, and Hmannan Yazawin Relationship with the predecessor
Thamoddarit 80–125 107–152 Nephew of Thupyinnya of Sri Ksetra
Yathekyaung 125–140 152–167 Caretaker
Pyusawhti 140–222 167–242 Son-in-law of Thamoddarit
Hti Min Yin 222–249 242–299 Son
Yin Min Paik 249–334 299–324 Son
Paik Thinli 334–371 324–344 Son
Thinli Kyaung I 371–415 344–387 Son
Kyaung Tu Yit 415–440 387–412 Son
Thihtan 440–477 412–439 Son
Thuye 477–492 439–494 Usurper
Tharamun Pya 492–514 494–516 Grandson of Thihtan
Thaik Taing 514–521 516–523 Son
Thinli Kyaung II 521–530 523–532 Son
Thinli Paik 530–535 532–547 Brother
Khan Laung 535–545 547–557 Brother
Khan Lat 545–557 557–569 Brother
Htun Taik 557–570 569–582 Son
Htun Pyit 570–586 582–598 Son
Htun Kyit 586–613 598–613 Son

Middle Early Pagan (AD 613-846)

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All four main chronicles are in agreement with the regnal dates in this period.[10]

Name Reign per Zatadawbon Yazawin, Maha Yazawin, Yazawin Thit, and Hmannan Yazawin Relationship with the predecessor
Popa Sawrahan 613–640 Usurper
Shwe Ohnthi 640–652 Son-in-law
Peit Thon 652–660 Brother
Peit Taung 660–710 Son
Nga Khwe 710–716 Brother
Min Kywe 716–726 Usurper
Theinga 726–734 Elected by court; of royal blood
Thein Khun 734–744 Son
Shwe Laung 744–753 Son
Htun Htwin 753–762 Son
Shwe Hmauk 762–785 Son
Htun Lut 785–802 Brother
Saw Khin Hnit 802–829 Son
Khelu 829–846 Son

Late Early Pagan (846-1044)

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The chronicles again do not agree with the dates for this period. The dates in later chronicles Yazawin Thit and Hmannan Yazawin now depart from Maha Yazawin dates from 846 CE forward.[10]

Name Reign per Zatadawbon Yazawin Reign per Maha Yazawin Reign per Yazawin Thit and Hmannan Yazawin Relationship with predecessor(s)
Pyinbya 846–886 846–858 846–878 Brother
Tannet 886–904 858–876 878–906 Son
Sale Ngahkwe 904–934 876–901 906–915 Usurper
Theinhko 934–956 901–917 915–931 Son
Nyaung-u Sawrahan 956–1001 917–950 931–964 Usurper
Kunhsaw Kyaunghpyu 1001–1021 950–971 964–986 Son of Tannet
Kyiso 1021–1038 971–977 986–992 Son of Nyaung-u Sawrahan
Sokkate 1038–1044 977–1002 992–1017 Brother

Lower Burma

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Monarch Reign Relationship Notes
Thiha Yaza ?–543 BCE Died in the year the Buddha died; came from India
Dhamma Thawka I
Titha Tissa
Dhamma Pala
Dhamma Daza
Einkura
Upadewa Yaza
Thiwa Yaza
Zawta Kumma
Dhamma Thawka II
Uttara
Katha Wunna
Maha Thala
Araka
Narathu I
Maha Beinda
Adara
Angula
Urunnata
Thuganda I
Thuganda II
Bramah Datta
Manya Yaza
Adika
Maradi Yaza
Thaduka
Dipa Yaza I
Athinkha Yaza
Bomma Yaza
Manda Yaza
Mahintha Yaza
Dhamma Sekka Yaza
Thusanbadi
Baddara Yaza
Narathu II
Zambudipa Yaza
Ketharit Yaza
Wizaya Kumma
Mani Yaza
Tekka Min
Athinkha Yaza
Kutha Yaza
Dipa Yaza II
Nara Yaza
Yaza Thura
Seitta Yaza
Diga Yaza
Ottama Yaza
Thiri Yaza
Dhamma Yaza
Maha Seitta Yaza
Ganda Yaza
Zeya Yaza
Thumana Yaza
Maddaka Yaza
Aminna Yaza
Udinna Yaza
Manuha ?–1057 CE

Early Hanthawaddy

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The list here is per Harvey who reported it from the Shwemawdaw Thamaing (lit. "History of Shwemawdaw Pagoda"); the dates are unattested.[3] Other Mon Chronicles give a similar list of rulers from 573 to 781 with no records thereafter, leaving a gap of 276 years to Pagan's conquest of Pegu in 1057.[11] Harvey's list better synchronizes with historically confirmed Pagan dates. But according to Michael Aung-Thwin, pre-Pagan Mon kingdoms of Lower Burma are later 15th century legends, unattested by evidence. Pegu as a place name only first appeared in a 1266 Old Burmese inscription.[12]

Monarch Reign Relationship Notes
Thamala 825–837 Founds Pegu (Bago) in 825
Wimala 837-854 Brother
Atha 854–861 Nephew
Areindama 861–885 Son
A monk 885–902
Geinda 902–917
Migadeippa I 917–932
Geissadiya 932–942
Karawika 942–954
Pyinzala 954–967 Son
Attatha 967–982 Brother
Anuyama 982–994 Nephew
Migadeippa II 994–1004
Ekkathamanda 1004–1016
Uppala 1016–1028
Pontarika 1028–1043 Founds Dagon
Tissa 1043–1057

Rulers of Arakan

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First Danyawaddy (2666–825 BCE)

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Monarch Reign Relationship Notes
Mara Yu 2666–2604
Mara Zi I 2604–2572 son
Mara Onlin 2572–2519 son
Mara Rwaylin 2519–2471 son
Mara Bin 2471–2416 son
Mara Zi II 2416–2383 son
Mara Kin 2383–2351 son
Nga Sha Po 2351–2330 usurper
Dwara Sanda 2330–2290 son of Mara Kin
Thola Sanda 2290–2257 son
Sanda Thuriya Sanda 2257–2220 son
Kala Sanda 2220–2180 son
Ti Sanda 2180–2149 son
Madhutha Sanda 2149–2129 son
Zeya Sanda 2129–2089 nephew
Mokkha Sanda 2089–2063 son
Gunna Sanda 2063–2051 son
Three Nobles 2051–2050 usurpers; reigned 7 days, 3 months, and 8 months successively
Kan Raza I 2050–2009 grandson of Gunna Sanda
Kan Raza II 2009–1973 brother
Athurinda Thuriya 1973–1938 uncle
Tharameta 1938–1880 son
Thuriya 1880–1849 son
Min Thi 1849–1827 brother
Min Ba 1827–1805 son
Si Aung 1805–1777 son
Tataingthin 1777–1746 brother
Kyaw-Khaung Win 1746–1715 son
Thuriya Nandameit 1715–1694 son
Athu Yindabaya 1694–1663 son
Letya Sithugyi 1663–1631 son
Thihaka 1631–1588 son
Min Bun Than 1588–1557 son
Thayet Hmwe 1557–1508 son
Zeya Nandathu 1508–1457 son
Tekkathu 1457–1411 son
Lekkhana 1411–1374 son
Gunnarit 1374–1326 son
Thiwarit 1326–1285 son
Min Hla Hmwe 1285–1254 son
Marinda 1254–1192 son
Theiddat Kumara 1192–1170 son
Min Hla I 1170–1123 son
Min Hla II 1123–1099 brother
Nga Sarit 1099–1061 son
Myet-hna Wun 1061–1030 son
Let Thut Kyi 1030–1003 son
Thiri Kamma Thunda 1003–972 brother
Nanda Kotabaya 972–945 son
Min Nan Phyu 945–925 son
Min Manu 925–897 son
Minkhaung 897–878 son
Laukkhaung Raza 878–838 son
Min Nge Pyaw-Hla-Si 838–832 son
Three nobles 832–825 usurpers

Second Danyawaddy (825 BCE–146 CE)

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Monarch Reign Relationship Notes
Kan Raza III 825–788
Thila Raza 788–740 son
Wasa Thura 740–709 son
Nandawi Thura 709–669 son
Puna Thuriya 669–637 son
Thuranda 637–614 son
Sandima 614–577 son
Thiri Sanda 577–537 son
Thiha Ran 537–491 brother
Thiha Nu 491–471 son
Payaka 471–440 son
Nela Gun 440–399 son
Rohaha Gun 399–368 son
Thiri Gun 368–344 son
Thamaza 344–309 nephew
Kummara 309–289 son
Thet Htin Phyu 289–249 son
Tha Bin U 249–207 son
Teza Wun 207–171 brother
Munzayaba 171–137 son
Kummara Withuddi 137–50 uncle
Wathu Mun Dala 50–16 son
Thurinda 16 BCE–15 CE son
Ralamayu 15–37 brother
Nalamayu 37–68 son
Wada Gun 68–90 son
Withu Raza 90–111 son
Thiri Raza 111–146 son

Third Danyawaddy (146–788 CE)

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Monarch Reign Relationship Notes
Sanda Thuriya 146–198
Thuriya Dipati 198–245 son
Thuriya Patipat 245–298 son
Thuriya Rupa 298–313 son
Thuriya Mandala 313–375 son
Thuriya Wunna 375–418 son
Thuriya Natha 418–459 son
Thuriya Wuntha 459–468 son
Thuriya Banda 468–474 son
Thuriya Kalyana 474–492 son
Thuriya Mokkha 492–513 son
Thuriya Teza 513–544 son
Thuriya Ponnya 544–552 son
Thuriya Kala 552–575 son
Thuriya Pabba 575–600 son
Thuriya Sitya 600–618 son
Thuriya Thehta 618–640 son
Thuriya Wimala 640–648 son
Thuriya Renu 648–670 brother
Thuriya Gantha 670–686 son
Thuriya Thagya 686–694 uncle
Thuriya Thiri 694–714 son
Thuriya Kethi 714–723 son
Thuriya Kutta 723–746 son
Thuriya Ketu 746–788 son

Waithali (788–1018 CE)

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Monarch Reign Relationship Notes
Maha Taing Sanda 788–810 founder son of Thuriya ketu
Thuriya Taing Sanda 810–830 son
Mawla Taing Sanda 830–849 son
Pawla Taing Sanda 849–875 son
Kala Taing Sanda 875–884 son
Tula Taing Sanda 884–903 son
Thiri Taing Sanda 903–935 son
Thinkha Taing Sanda 935–951 son
Chula Taing Sanda 951–957 son
Amyahtu 957–964 Chief of Myu people
Pe Phyu 964–994 nephew
Nga Pin Nga Ton 994–1018 son of Chula Taing Sanda

Notes

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  1. ^ Hall 1960: 7
  2. ^ a b Lieberman 2003: 196
  3. ^ a b Harvey 1925: 368
  4. ^ Charney 2002: 9
  5. ^ Charney 2002: 9, 34
  6. ^ Than Tun 1964: ix–x
  7. ^ Charney 2002: 4–5
  8. ^ Hmannan Vol. 1 1829: 159–160
  9. ^ Charney 2002: 26–27
  10. ^ a b c Maha Yazawin Vol. 1 2006: 343–347
  11. ^ Phayre 1883: 289
  12. ^ Aung-Thwin 2005: 29

References

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  • Aung-Thwin, Michael (2005). The mists of Rāmañña: The Legend that was Lower Burma (illustrated ed.). Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press. ISBN 978-0-8248-2886-8.
  • Charney, Michael Walter (2002). "Centralizing Historical Tradition in Precolonial Burma: The Abhiraja/Dhajaraja Myth in Early Kon-baung Historical Texts". South East Asia Research. 10 (2): 185–215. doi:10.5367/000000002101297053. ISSN 0967-828X. S2CID 143753605.
  • Charney, Michael W. (2006). Powerful Learning: Buddhist Literati and the Throne in Burma's Last Dynasty, 1752–1885. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan.
  • Hall, D.G.E. (1960). Burma (3rd ed.). Hutchinson University Library. ISBN 978-1-4067-3503-1.
  • Harvey, G. E. (1925). History of Burma: From the Earliest Times to 10 March 1824. London: Frank Cass & Co. Ltd.
  • Kala, U (1724). Maha Yazawin Gyi (in Burmese). Vol. 1–3 (2006, 4th printing ed.). Yangon: Ya-Pyei Publishing.
  • Lieberman, Victor B. (2003). Strange Parallels: Southeast Asia in Global Context, c. 800–1830, volume 1, Integration on the Mainland. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-80496-7.
  • Phayre, Lt. Gen. Sir Arthur P. (1883). History of Burma (1967 ed.). London: Susil Gupta.
  • Royal Historical Commission of Burma (1832). Hmannan Yazawin (in Burmese). Vol. 1–3 (2003 ed.). Yangon: Ministry of Information, Myanmar.
  • Than Tun (1964). Studies in Burmese History (in Burmese). Vol. 1. Yangon: Maha Dagon.